DRD parking scheme assurance welcomed

A local councillor has welcomed Department of Regional Development assurances that it will ensure the £1 for five hour scheme is well advertised and all pay machines are correctly calibrated.

Councillor Alexander Redpath wrote to Regional Development Minster Danny Kennedy with constituents’ concerns over the implementation of the scheme.

“I am hugely in favour of the £1 for five hour scheme and have been actively promoting it to constituents,” said Mr Redpath. “However two minor issues have been brought to my attention which I was keen to highlight to the minister. It appears that some of the signage which was erected in car parks when the scheme was announced in April has been removed. As this is a temporary scheme it’s very important to advertise the reduced rate to residents. I was also made aware that some machines are giving the £1 rate for five hours but when additional amounts are paid it reverts to the old rate for the entire amount paid. I welcome the fact that the minister has agreed to act on these issues.”

Mr Kennedy said: “If specific details of car parks and machines can be provided I will ensure they are checked and any problems identified addressed. All car parks participating in the pilot scheme have had additional A4-size information signage provided at each of the pay and display machine locations, and information stickers are placed on all of the pay and display machines.”